Thousands of lights illuminated the Kodak Theatre, a giant Oscar statue stood at the end of the red carpet, and glittering stars glided down the walkway, capturing the attention of countless onlookers. On this special evening, the stars and their films were the center of the universe for the entire United States, and even the slightest breeze on the Oscar red carpet could spark a year's worth of discussion.
But naturally, the most talked-about celebrities on the Oscar red carpet are often past award winners.
So when Matthew led Charlize from their car and they walked the red carpet with their fingers intertwined, they imdiately captured the full attention of the dia.
In an instant, the two beca the absolute focus of the Oscar red carpet.
"So, are they really together?"
"God, they look so perfect together."
A murmur rippled through the reporters snapping pictures.
A barrage of cara flashes erupted in a brilliant white glare, montarily blinding Matthew and Charlize and making it nearly impossible to keep their eyes open.
Under the flashing lights and the gaze of countless eyes, Matthew walked the red carpet, hand in hand with Charlize.
"Slow down," Matthew whispered suddenly to Charlize. "Take it easy."
A slightly flustered Charlize was compliant, imdiately slowing her pace to match Matthew's, waving frequently to the crowds on both sides of the carpet.
With a promotional mission in mind, Matthew naturally wanted to draw out their ti on the red carpet for as long as was reasonably possible.
They strolled down the carpet at a leisurely pace, and by the ti they reached the press area, Salma Hayek was less than thirty feet behind them, catching up.
Upon entering the press area, Matthew and Charlize stood before the crowd of reporters and put their affection on full display.
anwhile, on the online discussion forums accompanying the live Oscar feed, one of the most heated debates since the start of the red carpet ceremony was unfolding.
"Matthew is so much better than that last guy Charlize was with! What was his na again? I've already forgotten."
"Charlize has finally found a guy who's right for her."
Since the video of Matthew's heroic rescue last year was still fresh in everyone's minds, the fact that he and Charlize were finally together was t with almost universal approval. The overwhelming majority believed the two of them simply belonged together.
Inside the interview area, Matthew and Charlize stood before the caras and reporters from ABC Television, which was broadcasting live.
"Forgive
for asking, Matthew," the female reporter inquired curiously, "but your current relationship with Ms. Theron..."
Matthew gave Charlize an affectionate look and answered with a smile, "Charlie is my girlfriend."
The reporter turned the microphone to Charlize and asked, "Ms. Theron, are you really a couple?"
Charlize was more delicate in her response. "I've known Matthew for several years. After we spent ti together in Munich, it felt right. He was exactly the partner I was looking for, so I accepted his courtship."
Then, the ABC reporter asked the fateful question. "Matthew, you rescued Ms. Theron from dostic abuse at the hands of Stuart last year. What are your thoughts on her previous relationship with him?"
Hearing the question, Charlize's expression soured. She looked like she was about to say sothing, but Matthew quickly took her hand. She understood his silent signal and held her tongue.
Matthew answered graciously, "Charlie is my goddess, the perfect woman in my heart."
He turned his head to Charlize. "Every girl inevitably has to kiss a frog before she finds her prince, doesn't she?"
The comnt lifted Charlize's spirits. Compared to that frog Stuart, Matthew truly did seem like a prince.
Matthew leaned in and kissed Charlize on the lips. She returned the kiss, reaching up to wrap her arms around his neck, both of them looking intoxicated by the sweetness of their love.
And it all unfolded before the watchful eyes of the press caras.
...
After the interview, Matthew and Charlize walked hand in hand into the Kodak Theatre. Having completed their walk down the red carpet, they skipped the VIP lounge and went straight to the main auditorium.
Both were presenters for the awards and were seated near each other. After finding their seats, Charlize finally relaxed. It was no small feat to outshine a crowd of actresses on the red carpet with her queenly presence.
She greeted Antonio Banderas to her right, then asked Matthew in a low voice, "Was what you just said true?"
Matthew also lowered his voice and replied earnestly, "Charlie, everything I say to you is the truth."
He placed a hand on his chest. "Can't you feel my sincerity?"
Charlize hesitated for a mont before saying, "You're a great friend, but not necessarily a competent lover."
Matthew smiled, took Charlize's hand, and kissed her knuckles. "I'll prove you wrong."
Charlize shot Matthew a look and said nothing more.
Initially, when Matthew had said he would use this opportunity to genuinely pursue her, she thought he was joking. But since Munich, it had been slowly dawning on her that he might be serious...
Was it right for them to transition from friends to a couple?
She didn't know the answer to that question.
The sound of loud music cut through Charlize's thoughts as the Academy Awards ceremony began. The codian Chris Rock walked onto the stage to kick things off with the customary stand-up routine that every Oscar host performs.
Just then, a mber of the production crew approached Matthew to give him his cue. He stood up and followed them backstage. He wasn't on stage for long, and not to present an award, but to introduce Finding Neverland, which was nominated for Best Picture.
Securing this opportunity was largely the result of hard work by Summit Entertainnt, though it was likely also because the organizers had taken his friendship with Johnny Depp into account.
The lead roles in Finding Neverland were played by Johnny Depp and Kate Winslet, respectively.
It was a typical biopic, a film made by the Weinstein brothers of Miramax purely for the sake of winning an Oscar.
Matthew went backstage, took the pre-written script from the stage manager, walked over to the stage entrance, and waited patiently.
Less than five minutes later, Cate Blanchett, who had just won the award for Best Supporting Actress, ca backstage from the wings. The stage lights dimd, and on the assistant's cue, Matthew walked out.
He had been there for a rehearsal a week ago, so he was comfortable with the routine.
The lights ca up, and the music began to play.
When the music faded, Matthew looked at the clips from Finding Neverland on the large screen and spoke clearly into the microphone. "The film tells the story of J.M. Barrie, a writer in early twentieth-century London who befriends four fatherless children. Inspired by his ti with them, he creates a children's book about a boy who never wants to grow up, giving shape to the classic fairy-tale character, Peter Pan."
Matthew handled the task with ease, delivering the lines flawlessly. "The film is a delight from the very first fra. It's filled with details that evoke the wonder of childhood, and there is so much warmth to be found in every scene... The nominee for the Academy Award for Best Picture is Finding Neverland. It is well-deserving!"
Forty-five seconds later, the introduction was over. Matthew had made his debut on the Oscar stage, and he exited through the wings on the opposite side.
He and Charlize may have stolen the show on the red carpet, but tonight, at the awards ceremony, the spotlight was destined to belong to the Oscar winners.
Clint Eastwood's Million Dollar Baby won four awards, including Best Picture. The Aviator took ho five, including Best Supporting Actress for Cate Blanchett. And Jamie Foxx won Best Actor for Ray, becoming another black movie star to win an Oscar.
In the Best Director category, Martin Scorsese once again went ho empty-handed, while Clint Eastwood took the award for Million Dollar Baby.
Million Dollar Baby was undoubtedly the biggest winner of the night. Hollywood's famous leading lady, Hilary Swank, won Best Actress, taking ho her second statuette in five years.
The film also claid Best Supporting Actor, with Morgan Freeman winning his first Oscar.
Despite his rivals having previously exposed his affair with his stepdaughter, it didn't affect his win. There were so many scandals and dark stories surrounding Hollywood stars that the dia and the public had grown weary of them.
The biggest disappointnts of the evening were undoubtedly Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio, who had been strong contenders for Best Director and Best Actor, respectively, but both went ho empty-handed.
Matthew vaguely recalled that those two had been chasing an Oscar for a long ti.
After the ceremony, a drove of celebrities headed to the Oscar Night after-parties, which were sward by paparazzi and journalists. However, a significant number of reporters shifted their focus to Matthew and Charlize, using their caras to capture the couple walking hand in hand to their hotel.
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